Our People
Kathy's Story
Sometimes, when you think you may have nothing to offer, you are most valuable to God. Kathy, originally from Taiwan, has for many years made New Zealand her home. Earlier this year she bravely put up her hand to join a medical team going to China. This was also an opportunity for her to encounter her Chinese heritage.
“At the end of the first day, I couldn't help wondering how did the organisers D and C, knowing little about me, place me in the perhaps most suitable position among this 50-strong June-2013 medical team: pharmacy. I am just an ordinary homemaker, no medical training, no professional background, a down-to-earth mum.”
CCSM has been working in cooperation with our orphanage-partner in Dingxi to give urgent relief to families in the countryside who suffered loss from the recent earthquake. CCSM agreed to provide water, food, clothing and medical care. In addition, CCSM offered to make some of our medical team available to provide direct medical care to those who may need it as they were already planned to be in that area in August.
She said, “Face to face, I have never come so close to so many Chinese farmers in my life. These are my people – my father, grandfather and hundreds of ancestors up the stream, were all farmers. They carry similar physical marks: tanned dark skins, deeply cut furrows of wrinkles, soiled fingers, swollen knuckles, smoke-stained teeth, mumbled words, country accents, humble and shy smiles. We were blessed with some young men who translated our mandarin into local dialect.
There is a place for everyone on God’s team. Kathy’s role was to call out the patient’s name, verify their registration number, double check the prescription, explain the dosage, demonstrate or enforce the medication, and dispense free vitamins. Above all she enjoyed the short exchange of conversation with the patients.
About midweek, I suddenly picked up the tone and started to chat with patients in their accent. Once converted and immersed in local language, I felt so close to them. I could identify with them, see their tough life, sense their optimism, perseverance and tenacity!”
By words of mouth, some walked up 20km to reach this free clinic. Many had not seen a doctor for years as they couldn’t afford it. Local hospitals or clinics, even state-run, are cost and profit centered nowadays. There is not much free lunch even for the poor.
Quite a few even fainted while waiting for treatment due to lack of food or drink. Once our dentist rushed to the pharmacy in search of glucose as his patient was blacked out during tooth extraction.”
Jesus was always ready to heal. Faith came to people after Jesus became involved in their situation and they experienced God’s love. I believe this CCSM team has been able to show a little of God’s heart to these people.
Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:14)
Would you like to join a CCSM Medical Team in 2014? Click here!
For information and an application form contact CCSM New Zealand